Specific stereochemical features of metallochelate complexes with tridentate N,N,N(N,N,O)-donating ligands

Earlier X-ray diffraction studies of a series of 12 adducts (I–XII) between metallochelate complexes [M = Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)] with tridentate N,N,N(N,N,O)-donating Schiff bases (L) and monodentate or bidentate ligands (L′) revealed a similarity in the stereochemistry of these compounds. The coordination polyhedron of metal atoms in compounds I–XII is a tetragonal pyramid (bipyramid) with two vertices occupied competitively. The L ligand occupies three coordination sites in the base of the pyramid. The L′ ligand approaches the metal atom, as a rule, in a direction perpendicular to the basal plane. The fourth site in the base of the pyramid and the apical vertex are occupied competitively. Different patterns of occupation of these positions are observed: they include the donor atoms of both the L and L′ ligands.